Earlier today we looked at the how the Yankees offense might fare in 2008, and we'll continue with the team with the second highest runs per game from last year. In 2007, the Phillies scored 5.51 runs per game.

I plugged in a likely lineup to the Lineup Analysis Tool, using the Marcel the Monkey predictions from Tom Tango. For the pitcher's slot, I used the Phillies 2007 OBA and slugging percentage by hurlers The lineups rate as follows:

• Best: 5.34 runs per game
• Given: 5.15 runs per game
• Worst: 4.78 runs per game

Shane Victorino
Photo: Icon SMI

The first thing you'll note is that the spread between worst and best scoring lineups is higher for the Phillies than the Yankees. This probably has to do with the pitchers batting in the NL. Lineups that maximize their presence in the game are going to be bad. The Phillies look down from last year, but even if they kept Rowand, they likely would be down anyway. The Marcels put Rowand at .346/.451, well below his 2007 numbers.

The team does only a tick better with Wes Helms playing third, so that means they should be an effective platoon.

The best lineup here still beats Colorado's 5.28 runs per game from last year, and the given lineup's mark of 5.15 would rank second in 2007. The Phillies should once again have no problems scoring runs this season.